CODA HERE IN THE BAHAMAS 2025 (27)

 CODA : exploring the Exuma Islands, Bahamas.

6 February 2025 

North anchorage at Warderick Wells Cay, Bahamas 

Marc- This is one superb national park of the wonders of nature to be found in these Bahamian islands.  The Bahamas has set aside an area comprising 176 square miles with 25 islands to protect both the land and marine environment.  They have done a great job of providing access without paving over paradise.

We chose to visit the crown jewel of the park at Warderick Wells Cay.  You can only enter if you’ve called a ranger ahead of time.  The usual procedure is to call ahead one day before you plan on arriving.  You check with the ranger in the morning to confirm that you have a mooring and then call again once when you arrive.  Very easy procedure even when you mess up as I did and pick up the wrong mooring (The ranger’s response was "no problem").  The colors in this park are extraordinary… so many shades of blue.  

Green clouds on our way to Warderick Wells (unusual, no storms around).

This is both the entry channel and part of the north mooring field at Warderick Wells Cay.

Sue and I set off on a hike up Boo Boo Hill, the highest point of the island at about 300 feet.  The trails can be exciting.  We headed out on a trail that became very porous fragmented ancient coral rock.  You need really good foot wear to walk these trails.  At one point we came to a creek with no bridge that was about 25 feet wide at our stage of the tide.  We decided to take an alternative trail to the south.  It went well walking along the beach and edges the marsh but became outright dangerous when we started our climb over very sharp coral once again.  There were holes on this trail that I could fall into and disappear.  At one point was saw a ladder allowing access to a cave (not for me).  The trail improved greatly when we reached the ocean side beach areas.  Finally we could just follow the signs up Boo Boo Hill.  

Atlantic Ocean side of the Island (note the deep blue color offshore).

Taking break to work on some driftwood I found on the beach.

Boo Boo Hill offers amazing panoramic views of the harbor and ocean cut.  The top of the Hill is covered with offerings of carved wood signs denoting your boat’s name and origins.  Most of the signs are painted driftwood.  Others are large seashells and even an anchor.  We also sought out blowholes at lower elevation on the stony ocean side.  We found the holes but no water surging up through them (apparently we came on a falling tide).

The top of Boo Boo Hill.

Blow holes.

Pausing for a break and a drink back at the mooring field beach.

Consuming plastic garbage killed this magnificent 52 foot sperm whale.

Back on board Coda.